Ahhhh, Christmas - my favourite holiday! While I absolutely love it, I know that there are several factors that could potentially turn a day of merriment into a complete nightmare. From one MUO to another, I present to you the definitive MUO guide to making your Christmas Day phenomenal. Pull that cracker! Go on... you know you love those ridiculously awful "dad-jokes” inside.

- Be makeup ready!-

I don't know what time you guys get up on Christmas morning, but thanks to a small human, my day starts around 5.30am. Therefore I always, always opt for long-wear makeup products. A fab primer, a foundation that lasts the distance, a mascara that stays put, & a liquid lippy. If there's a chance you'll be pushed in a pool (I'm not judging), or sprayed in the face with a water pistol (me, always me), it's probably a good idea to stick to waterproof/water resistant makeup. Pack a small bag of products to touch up with... because there's always ONE person who thinks destroying carefully applied makeup ain't no thang/is hilarious.

- Wear sunscreen- & keep applying sunscreen!-

Kiwi summers are beautiful, but the heat can really take its toll. An amazing sunscreen (the higher SPF the better) is an absolute must have - I use separate ones for my face and body. Bear in mind that it's not enough to apply just at the start of the day- keep applying throughout the day- every few hours. Because honestly, you don't want to go to the Boxing Day races looking like lobster girl from planet Redness. ​
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​- If you're going to indulge- pace yourself & make good choices-

Many people see Christmas as a time for letting their hair down & having a wee drink...and that's cool- I'm one of them. But too much wine in the sun (combined with clashing family members and varying stress levels) can be a recipe for disaster. This year I'm skipping the wine & opting for the NZ-made Long White Vodka. The lower alcohol content (4.8%) combined with the summery flavours (the raspberry flavour is TO DIE for) make it the perfect choice for a Kiwi Christmas. Plus, the fact that it contains no added table sugar(it’s sweetened with apple juice!!)means I can have that extra slice of pavlova. Winner winner chicken dinner.

- Gifts-

Ahhhh, Christmas presents! As Forrest Gump said, you never know what you're gonna get. Whether you receive socks, potpourri, soap, or (god forbid) a weed-whacker, try and remember that it's the thought that counts! Even, yes, EVEN if the present that your Nana got you was the gift you gave her last year. If you want to be a really good human, consider contacting places like the Women's Refuge or Dress For Success to find out if you can donate anything unwanted. Maybe wait until after Christmas Day to do that, though, okay?

- Family stress-

I'm lucky enough to have a very small, chilled out family- there's never any drama to speak of during Christmas... and I really hope I haven't just jinxed that. Fact is, Christmas often means you have to spend it with people that you don't see that often; & if it's a long, hot day, tensions can rise to the surface quicker than I can eat that extra slice of pav. Try to bear in mind that it's only for one day. & that not everyone is always as tactful or awesome as you ;) If you find yourself getting rarked up by Uncle Trevor, take some deep breaths, and wander away to pretend to inspect your mum's hydrangeas that she's been banging on about. You'll be calmer, Uncle Trevor will have the satisfaction of annoying you further, and your mum will be stoked- it's a win/win. ​

So there we have it - tips from me to you about how to have a an enjoyable and hopefully memorable Christmas Day. However I don't claim to know everything and knowledge is power so please feel free to leave me your own tips and tricks for having a brilliant Christmas in the comments below. Merry Christmas MUOs - stay safe and have fun!

A big cheers and thanks to Long White Vodka for making this post possible! Follow them on Facebookhere.​​

I'm going to wear different shades of green eyeshadow with lots of glitter , then I'm going to wear a bright red lippy! Gonna be right in the Christmas spirit :)

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Lily parsons

22/12/2015 09:23:05 am

I'll be using my all time fav Revlon colour stay whipped 😍 a nice gold eyeshadow with maybe a hint of red and a nude lippy. Keeping it simple so keep an stuff my face without having to worry about my lippy 🎄🎁

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Saffron

22/12/2015 09:23:48 am

I'll hopefully be wearing my new estee lauder double wear if it comes in the mail in time! Otherwise just light make up, Smashbox Full Exposure mascara, Revlon Brow Maker and E.L.F. blush. In this heat I'd hate for my face to melt off!

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Georgia conway

22/12/2015 09:24:13 am

I love the gold eye with a wing ! And then red liquid lipstick :) I don't do it too crazy, its usually a pretty hot Christmas day in the sun so it gets sweated off abit anyway haha

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JAN

22/12/2015 09:25:39 am

Well, first of all I'd be wearing THIS if I had it in my hot little hands because OMG it looks blardy amazing!
Aside from that, I'll be wearing a TONNE of sunblock so I can sit out in the sun with a Long White Vodka - and basic makeup (primer, concealer, foundation, blush, highlight, brows, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick - ya know, just the basics)

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Casey Smith

22/12/2015 09:25:45 am

I will be rocking Ruby Woo Xmas day with plain makeup apart from a bold eyeliner look

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Olly

23/12/2015 10:07:35 am

A kiwi Christmas for my family means a full day at the beach

This Christmas I will be swearing sunscreen, filling in my eyebrows, wearing lots of waterproof mascara and a bit of lip balm.

I like days like this cos I can tan and hope to have my face and body colour match 😜 Xx

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Jerome

22/12/2015 09:27:14 am

I'll be rocking my hoe hoe hoe by jeffree star and my gold illuminator by Elizabeth arden highlighter with a green smoked out eye and long lashes

Merry Christmas Kirsty. My essential Christmas makeup is glittery eye shadow to make it festive and some setting spray so that I can swim without it being messed up!

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Courtney T

22/12/2015 09:28:27 am

My Christmas day look will be simple, emphasising the skin wearing Bobbi Brown's Skin foundation, light handed contouring with my Nars Laguna and lots of highlight to make my skin look super dewy. A bold red-berry lip (unsure which one yet) and glossy eyes and mascara.

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Laura Stuart

22/12/2015 09:30:15 am

Christmas is always such a long day, get up early, go to bed late. Lots of drinking, eating and "being merry". I will definitely be wearing sunscreen and going with a long wearing foundation with a red lip and highlight for days :) You've got to get into the Christmas spirit right?

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Elea Yule

22/12/2015 09:30:32 am

Christmas is always a casual affair at my house so I'll probably do fairly neutral makeup... but I can't resist a bright lip in summer! Probably Ruby Woo or something equally long-wearing so I can eat without fear.

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Clo

22/12/2015 09:30:49 am

I too have a little person who takes over so I'll be going with the minimalism look with a touch of colour from my Naked Palette and my favorite velvet teddy lipstick. Anything that doesn't melt off my face will be used also. Merry Christmas Kirsty xx

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Stevie

22/12/2015 09:31:40 am

As a pregnant mummy too a 1 year old my go too look is are liquid to matte lippies (red for Christmas obviously) and a over the top sparkly eye liner (taking inspo from Jeffree Stars latest YouTube video!) fluttery lashes and drowning in highlighter!

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Trish Holm

22/12/2015 09:32:39 am

I'll be wearing red liquid lipstick with a liner to lock it in place and cat eye liner, Christmas colours all the way! And my tip would be wear a loose dress, so that food babies can go undetected :)

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Char

22/12/2015 09:34:11 am

I'll be wearing light make up as its most probs going too be a really nice day. So I'll wear Bright red lipstick mascara and maybe nice Aqua colour for eyeliner :)

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Candice

22/12/2015 09:34:17 am

I will be wearing a very minimal make up and a must have for me will be a nice sun hat

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Kevana

22/12/2015 09:34:50 am

christmas day i will have absolutely no make up on cause it'll most probably come off while I'm slaving over the oven cooking the non stop flow of Christmas food 😂

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Grace Nicholas

22/12/2015 09:36:46 am

I'll prob be wearing comfy clothes all day, we don't do a whole lot on Christmas except stay home and eat 😂 Might chuck on some minimal make up but other than that everything will be very relaxed

I love my raspberry facial primer then BB cream, for that Christmas cheer Stinking Rich red lippy with Pouty Lipliner with a soft touch of lipstain rouge following with finishing touches to my eyes of 3D Fiber Lash Mascara which will be accompanied with flying wings from Moonstruck LIQUID liner. Makes me feel great every time :)

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Carolyn

22/12/2015 09:37:53 am

Bold eyes with nude lip & a good primer & fix+ 😜🎄🎀

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Esther Millar

22/12/2015 09:37:56 am

I will be wearing a bright lippy with everything else gentle, just a bit of foundation, mascara and slight contouring to keep it natural looking

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Alex

22/12/2015 09:37:59 am

I will be wearing sheer foundation and very bronzey/sun kissed skin with strong Browns and little eye make up :) paired with a red lip for Christmas! Xxx

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Alaina

22/12/2015 09:38:29 am

I'm definitely going for a red lip this year! Meeting the boyfriends extended family for the first time, so will probably go for a simple eye and red matte lip ♥

On Christmas Day I'll be very festive with my Mac Russian red lipstick and glittery eyes. So excited I love being creative with my makeup!

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Sophie Ruthven

22/12/2015 09:46:12 am

Will probably go for a natural look. Not quite sure yet depends on outfit choice but I'm sure a Christmas red colour will be on my lips

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Charlotte Cairns

22/12/2015 09:54:31 am

Seriously great tips kirsty!
This year I don't have my small human so my sister and I are going to enjoy playing with different makeup looks for the first half of the day, so long wearing isn't really an issue. I'm getting burgundy ×9 by mac from Santa so I think that would have to be my must have of everything!!

I will most likely be wearing something gold on my eyes and something red on my lips 👄 This prize would be amazing ☺️

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Zara Sullivan

22/12/2015 10:12:29 am

Oh I just love Christmas and your giveaways are just making this all even better!! I'll be wearing my candy apple red lippy of course like previous years, and a nice nude, light smokey eye! Luuuurrrrvvee Christmas makeup!! I love everything Christmas tbh!! xxx

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Jasmine Robertson

22/12/2015 10:16:40 am

I will be going a neutral and brown toned look. I wont have a huge amount of time to get ready - and wont even be at home - so i love your tips..

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Casey Knight

22/12/2015 10:17:50 am

I'll be wearing a nice natural look - as I'll most likely be a sweaty mess living in Australia but I have Christmas nails to make up for it 😁💕

I'll be wearing a light bb cream with the Australis fresh and flawless powder to keep my skin looking even with a nice bronzed finish and natural looking eyes with just mascara! And perhaps a pink lipstick 💋

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Emma Gregory

22/12/2015 10:22:47 am

I will be wearing similar to my profile pic. I love mauve colours and it will go with my summery top I got from the islands! It's going to be a beautiful day 👍🏻

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Rhianan James

22/12/2015 10:33:58 am

I haven't decided what I will be wearing yet I want natural make up with a bright lipstick so might use my Costa Chic by MAC which is coral coloured and then do a simple eyeshadow maybe gold or something. All depends on what I am wearing - so excited for Christmas!!!!

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Brittaney lambert

22/12/2015 10:37:31 am

Christmas day I will be wearing my pro long wear nourishing waterproof foundation by Mac with a translucent powder and a soft romantic rose blush with a soft sunset and glisten eyeshadow from Elizabeth arden and maybelline chestnut on my lips ❤😍🎁🎄🎅

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Kayla turvey

22/12/2015 10:38:39 am

I will be wearing Mac gold deposit on my cheeks , gold eye make up , and Mac Russian red on my lips of course with better than sex mascara and ardelle Demi wispie lashes

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ilea baker

22/12/2015 10:43:17 am

this year for christmas im going to be wearing neutral colours and a nice highlighter and contour!! cant go wrong with nude lippy aswell

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Sapphire snedden

22/12/2015 10:46:40 am

I will be doing a natural glam look with a bold lip colour because it's super hot I don't want my eye makeup making me look like I've just broken up with my partner haha. My essential would have to be sunscreens because I don't tan ever! It's either I stay white or I go tomato 😂

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olivia newall

22/12/2015 10:52:37 am

I'll be wearing the basics, just do my eyebrows and some mascara, along with a little something on the lips. Gonna let the skin have a break and keep it nice and simple for a good Christmas day :) xxx

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Melissa Cochrane

22/12/2015 10:54:00 am

I will be wearing a neutral eye with a gold winged liner and a bright cherry lip. Underneath my foundation I'll be wearing sunblock, a definite summer and Christmas season essential! :)

I will be wearing pretty simple makeup. Our day is always really relaxed, so some long wear foundation, low key contour and highlight, probably a liquid lippy and simple eye makeup.

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Taleisha

22/12/2015 11:03:56 am

I wont be wearing anything fancy for christmas as I am new to makeup And slowly trying to build my makeup knowledge up. :) maybe just some lippy , mascara

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Alexandra Forsyth

22/12/2015 11:06:34 am

I'll be going for a light and glowy look with golden eye makeup, highlighter and a nude lippy so no one can tell when it runs off ;)

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Jessica Hilton

22/12/2015 11:17:23 am

Given that I nearly always end up in the pool/ocean etc light makeup that is water resistant is my go to. Spruce it up with a red lippy and its xmas ready!!

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Megan Blair

22/12/2015 11:18:01 am

I'll be wearing a high spf bb cream, with lots of highlight, a little bronzer, gold shimmery eyes and nude lips. My bb cream is definitely a Christmas essential in the New Zealand sun!

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Blayre Forrester

22/12/2015 11:26:43 am

Thanks for the advice will be taking note & looking forward to trying that vodka yum yum yum! I'm Christmas day ill be wearing a glam/holiday look inspired by @JadeMadden. It's sparkly but subtle, I don't want anything too full on with the outfit :-)

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Janice Prasad

22/12/2015 11:26:44 am

I'm gonna go with a simple look at daytime with a nude lippy then glam it up at night with sparkles and a deep red lip

Going light on the makeup with an spf 50 turned moisteriser being optimistic of seeing the sun Christmas Day!! Planning on going extreme with my new highlighter from benefit and get in the Christmas spirit with a silver eye look!
Lipstick as yet is undecided. Will have to delve into my mac collection on the day (:

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Brooke

22/12/2015 01:17:33 pm

I feel like I'll wear mac studio fix foundation with my la girl concealer, Mac studio fix powder- fave!! Jeffree star unicorn blood lipstick cause Christmas and it's such a beautiful colour!! A nice winged eyeliner and a classic matte with a bit of gold shimmer eyeshadow! Go all out for a special day filled with family and laughter <3 merry Christmas everyone

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Morgan Mclean-Devey

22/12/2015 01:26:30 pm

Will be wearing MAC ruby woo of course!!!

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Caitlin Wood

22/12/2015 01:31:33 pm

I am all about BB cream and mascara because its my family and i have to open presents in the morning not do makeup!!

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CourtneyHeron

22/12/2015 01:43:28 pm

Naked face with bold lips, mac diva. If in doubt pout

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Tania Abrams

22/12/2015 02:00:05 pm

In all honesty I will just be slathered up in sunscreen with some bb cream and some concealer to hide my big bags from being up all night!
I love the joy Christmas brings my 5 boys so I will be up late doing reindeer tracks and food prep and on the day have a great time I the pool and at the park with their new (and old) toys
Merry Xmas to everyone and stay safe and blessed

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pip yeats

22/12/2015 02:02:54 pm

Im going to do a gold /bronzed smoky eye with a bold red lip ,I saw a tutorial on candy cane winged liner so I might give that a go and see how it turns out

I think I'll go for a neutral/no makeup look but will be busting out a red lip. Always gotta have a red lip

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Briar Babington

22/12/2015 02:10:07 pm

I will be wearing a frosty highlight - on fleek for the holiday season! I know it's summer here, but there's just something about those frosted winter holiday looks that I love! And bold red lip for the Christmas spirit!

Three words: red matte lips :P
Besides that, I'd probably be going for a sheer foundation, waterproof liner and mascara with a touch of blush. I should really use my lip liner from Jordana so that'll be what I'll wear.

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zubia

22/12/2015 02:44:40 pm

Gold is the perfect colour to wear on Christmas!! Il be wearing my gold shimmer highlighter and my highly pigmented gold shadow!! topping it off with red lips. Gold and red are the perfect combo for Xmas <33

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Jordan

22/12/2015 02:55:23 pm

I wish I could be creative when it comes to my make up but nope lol just a natural look with a brown/gold eyeshadow and nude lippy!

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Ashlee Ferguson

22/12/2015 02:56:22 pm

Christmas Day I'm going to be wearing a bright red lipstick for something a little different I'm not reall a huge lipstick person. Also going to do a smokey eye look with my lighter green eye shadow and my dark green eyeshadow. Quite exciting 💄👄💋

I will be wearing a bold lip and shimmery eyes prehaps 1950s pin up make up with long lashes and winged eye liner or maybe some gold / silver or green eye shadow and red lips breaking all tge play up only one feature rules!

I'll be going for a bold red lip, then black cat eyeliner with some gold ontop! Maybe a little Soft contour as well to round it off!

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Stephanie Melville

22/12/2015 05:46:31 pm

Great article Kirk!!
I'll be wearing basic makeup so I can focus on enjoying the day and not worrying too much about my face ☺☺
Just some bb cream, bright lippy is a must, waterproof mascara of course and some brows! Maybe more depending on how early I wake up!!

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Sammy davies

22/12/2015 05:50:21 pm

This Christmas I'm stuck working :( nurse life! So getting up at 530 I won't be wearing any makeup, I'm fine with that as I've been loving Lush skincare recently and am comfortable going bare face! Loving all of the Xmas tips x

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Natalia

22/12/2015 07:22:36 pm

Merry Christmas Kirsty <3
I would be wearing natural makeup & sheer foundation with matifying primer as we gonna celebrate Christmas BBQ style & will refresh & vamp it up later at night

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Georgia franssen

22/12/2015 08:59:51 pm

My Christmas Day makeup will be very light and natural - bit of concealer and powder and mascara!

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Becky Pevreal

22/12/2015 09:15:02 pm

I'll be wearing natural make up but with a bold lip to add some pop! X

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Laura Mckenzie

22/12/2015 09:54:33 pm

Christmas Day makeup is usually half a bottle of sunscreen over the course of the day so I keep it light bb cream mascara waterproof, lips spf'd and glossy and brows on fleek! :)

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Jayne Gracd

22/12/2015 10:24:03 pm

I am all about a glittery Christmas so I'll be wearing my Australis Metalix eyeshadow in Guns and Rose Petals. I love that stuff! I particularly like that it's a cream glitter. Makes application speedy when I'm too excited about Christmas champagne breakfast to spend long faffing.

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Caitlin

22/12/2015 10:43:41 pm

I haven't decided yet what look I'm going to do for Christmas day yet -probably something quick so I can spend more time with my family! But I'll definitely be wearing my SPF 50+ Chaldduk foundation!

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Amy

22/12/2015 11:29:49 pm

I'll be wearing the most full coverage base, gold smokey eye and nude lips, must have is a setting spray!! Christmas is usually such a hot day in NZ so it has to stay all day!! x

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Chelsea

22/12/2015 11:59:56 pm

a more natural look with nude eyeshadow and maybe red lippy

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Jessica Ashton

23/12/2015 12:26:14 pm

I will be wearing my mac foundation. Bronze eyeshadow and natural lip gloss with a touch of peachy keen on my cheeks eeep :)

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Serena

23/12/2015 01:50:39 pm

I will definitely be wearing a whoooole lot of highlight! And bright red lips!!

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